(12-27-2022 04:47 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(12-27-2022 03:51 PM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(12-26-2022 09:57 PM)emu79 Wrote:  

(12-26-2022 12:19 PM)EdifiedVoyage6 Wrote:  

(12-26-2022 11:35 AM)emu79 Wrote:  So if we are not playing the 4-2-5 anymore what defense are we playing?

I don't know what defense they will be using in the future

But the personnel on the roster are configured to play a 4-2-5which means depending on the defense you could have too many DBs and not enough LBs etc.forcexampleca 4-3-4.

If I were a betting man, I'd put money on the eagles running a 4-3, although I'd love to see a 3-4. As 79 commented personnel will dictate a lot. Having been a 4-2 team, the Eagles have recruited for a 4-man front, and they have arguably had some success in setting DE's outside for pressure. Switching to a 4-3 means the only personnel issue is do you have three LB's you can count on. With Sparacio and Kline you have two. And I'm sure one of our current backups or a potential transfer could step into the third slot.

Bingo. Personnel dictates what schemes a team plays on offense and defense.

Sometimes I think fans think of schemes as something within a coordinator's DNA. Truth be told we barely had enough depth at LB to run a 4 - 2 and certainly NOT a 4 - 3 or heaven no to a 3 - 4.

The question is: Are there any FBS ready LBs in the transfer portal interested in EMU?

Are Sparcio and Kline good fits for a 4 - 3? Who plays the middle? Are both best as inside backers in a 4 - 2? Or inside backers in a 3 - 4?

If the Eagles were to go the way of a 3-4, I would see Sparacio playing OLB on the strong side...he is a strong tackler with some good speed and a head for the football. Kline would probably go ILB on the weak side...I see him more as an aggressive hole stuffer, which you need with only three down linemen. Do they have, or could they find, two more guys who would be good cover guys in the flats and also give some good looks on blitzes? Who would fill the role as the Mike (same question for the 4-3)? That needs to be a guy who really knows the game and can make solid reads of the Offense and call shifts on the fly.

The hardest thing, in my mind, if they were to try a 3-4, is you need three strong studs to fill the linemen positions. They need to be solid penetration threats to hopefully draw a double team so the 4th LB can take advantage of open gaps in the line. I'm not sure if we have the three guys who can do that effectively.

You also need a speedy Strong Safety and a quick OLB-weak side that you can sneak up on passing downs to bring pressure on the QB, as you don't have traditional outside DE's to swing around the end of the O-line on pressure plays.

The advantage of a 3-4 is that you have the extra LB and a Strong Safety you can cheat up so can play all kinds of games as to who you bring on pressure, thereby confusing the Offense as to where pressure may come from. Hell...you could blitz a gap and both ends of the line on a third and long passing situation and still have 5 guys (2 LB's, two DB's and a Free Safety) back in coverage.

As I said in another post, I think the best bet for the Eagles is to run a 4-3 as it most closely resembles what they are familiar with in the 4-2. They just need to identify the Mike (if Kline goes Will and Sparacio goes Sam). Do they already have that guy, or do they need to bring him in as a transfer?

(12-28-2022 09:35 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(12-27-2022 04:47 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(12-27-2022 03:51 PM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(12-26-2022 09:57 PM)emu79 Wrote:  

(12-26-2022 12:19 PM)EdifiedVoyage6 Wrote:  I don't know what defense they will be using in the future

But the personnel on the roster are configured to play a 4-2-5which means depending on the defense you could have too many DBs and not enough LBs etc.forcexampleca 4-3-4.

If I were a betting man, I'd put money on the eagles running a 4-3, although I'd love to see a 3-4. As 79 commented personnel will dictate a lot. Having been a 4-2 team, the Eagles have recruited for a 4-man front, and they have arguably had some success in setting DE's outside for pressure. Switching to a 4-3 means the only personnel issue is do you have three LB's you can count on. With Sparacio and Kline you have two. And I'm sure one of our current backups or a potential transfer could step into the third slot.

Bingo. Personnel dictates what schemes a team plays on offense and defense.

Sometimes I think fans think of schemes as something within a coordinator's DNA. Truth be told we barely had enough depth at LB to run a 4 - 2 and certainly NOT a 4 - 3 or heaven no to a 3 - 4.

The question is: Are there any FBS ready LBs in the transfer portal interested in EMU?

Are Sparcio and Kline good fits for a 4 - 3? Who plays the middle? Are both best as inside backers in a 4 - 2? Or inside backers in a 3 - 4?

If the Eagles were to go the way of a 3-4, I would see Sparacio playing OLB on the strong side...he is a strong tackler with some good speed and a head for the football. Kline would probably go ILB on the weak side...I see him more as an aggressive hole stuffer, which you need with only three down linemen. Do they have, or could they find, two more guys who would be good cover guys in the flats and also give some good looks on blitzes? Who would fill the role as the Mike (same question for the 4-3)? That needs to be a guy who really knows the game and can make solid reads of the Offense and call shifts on the fly.

The hardest thing, in my mind, if they were to try a 3-4, is you need three strong studs to fill the linemen positions. They need to be solid penetration threats to hopefully draw a double team so the 4th LB can take advantage of open gaps in the line. I'm not sure if we have the three guys who can do that effectively.

You also need a speedy Strong Safety and a quick OLB-weak side that you can sneak up on passing downs to bring pressure on the QB, as you don't have traditional outside DE's to swing around the end of the O-line on pressure plays.

The advantage of a 3-4 is that you have the extra LB and a Strong Safety you can cheat up so can play all kinds of games as to who you bring on pressure, thereby confusing the Offense as to where pressure may come from. Hell...you could blitz a gap and both ends of the line on a third and long passing situation and still have 5 guys (2 LB's, two DB's and a Free Safety) back in coverage.

As I said in another post, I think the best bet for the Eagles is to run a 4-3 as it most closely resembles what they are familiar with in the 4-2. They just need to identify the Mike (if Kline goes Will and Sparacio goes Sam). Do they already have that guy, or do they need to bring him in as a transfer?

I believe CC first defensive coordinator ran a 3-4-4 and it was a bigger disaster than Ned's 4-2-5. I believe the 5 DBs were in zone coverage and playing off the ball early this year and switched to man to man with better success although I could be wrong

(12-28-2022 09:58 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(12-28-2022 09:35 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(12-27-2022 04:47 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(12-27-2022 03:51 PM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(12-26-2022 09:57 PM)emu79 Wrote:  But the personnel on the roster are configured to play a 4-2-5which means depending on the defense you could have too many DBs and not enough LBs etc.forcexampleca 4-3-4.

If I were a betting man, I'd put money on the eagles running a 4-3, although I'd love to see a 3-4. As 79 commented personnel will dictate a lot. Having been a 4-2 team, the Eagles have recruited for a 4-man front, and they have arguably had some success in setting DE's outside for pressure. Switching to a 4-3 means the only personnel issue is do you have three LB's you can count on. With Sparacio and Kline you have two. And I'm sure one of our current backups or a potential transfer could step into the third slot.

Bingo. Personnel dictates what schemes a team plays on offense and defense.

Sometimes I think fans think of schemes as something within a coordinator's DNA. Truth be told we barely had enough depth at LB to run a 4 - 2 and certainly NOT a 4 - 3 or heaven no to a 3 - 4.

The question is: Are there any FBS ready LBs in the transfer portal interested in EMU?

Are Sparcio and Kline good fits for a 4 - 3? Who plays the middle? Are both best as inside backers in a 4 - 2? Or inside backers in a 3 - 4?

If the Eagles were to go the way of a 3-4, I would see Sparacio playing OLB on the strong side...he is a strong tackler with some good speed and a head for the football. Kline would probably go ILB on the weak side...I see him more as an aggressive hole stuffer, which you need with only three down linemen. Do they have, or could they find, two more guys who would be good cover guys in the flats and also give some good looks on blitzes? Who would fill the role as the Mike (same question for the 4-3)? That needs to be a guy who really knows the game and can make solid reads of the Offense and call shifts on the fly.

The hardest thing, in my mind, if they were to try a 3-4, is you need three strong studs to fill the linemen positions. They need to be solid penetration threats to hopefully draw a double team so the 4th LB can take advantage of open gaps in the line. I'm not sure if we have the three guys who can do that effectively.

You also need a speedy Strong Safety and a quick OLB-weak side that you can sneak up on passing downs to bring pressure on the QB, as you don't have traditional outside DE's to swing around the end of the O-line on pressure plays.

The advantage of a 3-4 is that you have the extra LB and a Strong Safety you can cheat up so can play all kinds of games as to who you bring on pressure, thereby confusing the Offense as to where pressure may come from. Hell...you could blitz a gap and both ends of the line on a third and long passing situation and still have 5 guys (2 LB's, two DB's and a Free Safety) back in coverage.

As I said in another post, I think the best bet for the Eagles is to run a 4-3 as it most closely resembles what they are familiar with in the 4-2. They just need to identify the Mike (if Kline goes Will and Sparacio goes Sam). Do they already have that guy, or do they need to bring him in as a transfer?

I believe CC first defensive coordinator ran a 3-4-4 and it was a bigger disaster than Ned's 4-2-5. I believe the 5 DBs were in zone coverage and playing off the ball early this year and switched to man to man with better success although I could be wrong

Yeah...you really need the right bunch of players to run the 3-4 effectively. I beleive you are correct about the switch to man coverage. With guys like Shine, they really stepped things up that way.

(12-28-2022 09:58 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(12-28-2022 09:35 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(12-27-2022 04:47 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(12-27-2022 03:51 PM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(12-26-2022 09:57 PM)emu79 Wrote:  But the personnel on the roster are configured to play a 4-2-5which means depending on the defense you could have too many DBs and not enough LBs etc.forcexampleca 4-3-4.

If I were a betting man, I'd put money on the eagles running a 4-3, although I'd love to see a 3-4. As 79 commented personnel will dictate a lot. Having been a 4-2 team, the Eagles have recruited for a 4-man front, and they have arguably had some success in setting DE's outside for pressure. Switching to a 4-3 means the only personnel issue is do you have three LB's you can count on. With Sparacio and Kline you have two. And I'm sure one of our current backups or a potential transfer could step into the third slot.

Bingo. Personnel dictates what schemes a team plays on offense and defense.

Sometimes I think fans think of schemes as something within a coordinator's DNA. Truth be told we barely had enough depth at LB to run a 4 - 2 and certainly NOT a 4 - 3 or heaven no to a 3 - 4.

The question is: Are there any FBS ready LBs in the transfer portal interested in EMU?

Are Sparcio and Kline good fits for a 4 - 3? Who plays the middle? Are both best as inside backers in a 4 - 2? Or inside backers in a 3 - 4?

If the Eagles were to go the way of a 3-4, I would see Sparacio playing OLB on the strong side...he is a strong tackler with some good speed and a head for the football. Kline would probably go ILB on the weak side...I see him more as an aggressive hole stuffer, which you need with only three down linemen. Do they have, or could they find, two more guys who would be good cover guys in the flats and also give some good looks on blitzes? Who would fill the role as the Mike (same question for the 4-3)? That needs to be a guy who really knows the game and can make solid reads of the Offense and call shifts on the fly.

The hardest thing, in my mind, if they were to try a 3-4, is you need three strong studs to fill the linemen positions. They need to be solid penetration threats to hopefully draw a double team so the 4th LB can take advantage of open gaps in the line. I'm not sure if we have the three guys who can do that effectively.

You also need a speedy Strong Safety and a quick OLB-weak side that you can sneak up on passing downs to bring pressure on the QB, as you don't have traditional outside DE's to swing around the end of the O-line on pressure plays.

The advantage of a 3-4 is that you have the extra LB and a Strong Safety you can cheat up so can play all kinds of games as to who you bring on pressure, thereby confusing the Offense as to where pressure may come from. Hell...you could blitz a gap and both ends of the line on a third and long passing situation and still have 5 guys (2 LB's, two DB's and a Free Safety) back in coverage.

As I said in another post, I think the best bet for the Eagles is to run a 4-3 as it most closely resembles what they are familiar with in the 4-2. They just need to identify the Mike (if Kline goes Will and Sparacio goes Sam). Do they already have that guy, or do they need to bring him in as a transfer?

I believe CC first defensive coordinator ran a 3-4-4 and it was a bigger disaster than Ned's 4-2-5. I believe the 5 DBs were in zone coverage and playing off the ball early this year and switched to man to man with better success although I could be wrong

I didn't realize CC had someone before Neathery. I assumed Ned came with him, Interesting.

(12-28-2022 10:29 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(12-28-2022 09:58 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(12-28-2022 09:35 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(12-27-2022 04:47 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(12-27-2022 03:51 PM)cidbearit Wrote:  If I were a betting man, I'd put money on the eagles running a 4-3, although I'd love to see a 3-4. As 79 commented personnel will dictate a lot. Having been a 4-2 team, the Eagles have recruited for a 4-man front, and they have arguably had some success in setting DE's outside for pressure. Switching to a 4-3 means the only personnel issue is do you have three LB's you can count on. With Sparacio and Kline you have two. And I'm sure one of our current backups or a potential transfer could step into the third slot.

Bingo. Personnel dictates what schemes a team plays on offense and defense.

Sometimes I think fans think of schemes as something within a coordinator's DNA. Truth be told we barely had enough depth at LB to run a 4 - 2 and certainly NOT a 4 - 3 or heaven no to a 3 - 4.

The question is: Are there any FBS ready LBs in the transfer portal interested in EMU?

Are Sparcio and Kline good fits for a 4 - 3? Who plays the middle? Are both best as inside backers in a 4 - 2? Or inside backers in a 3 - 4?

If the Eagles were to go the way of a 3-4, I would see Sparacio playing OLB on the strong side...he is a strong tackler with some good speed and a head for the football. Kline would probably go ILB on the weak side...I see him more as an aggressive hole stuffer, which you need with only three down linemen. Do they have, or could they find, two more guys who would be good cover guys in the flats and also give some good looks on blitzes? Who would fill the role as the Mike (same question for the 4-3)? That needs to be a guy who really knows the game and can make solid reads of the Offense and call shifts on the fly.

The hardest thing, in my mind, if they were to try a 3-4, is you need three strong studs to fill the linemen positions. They need to be solid penetration threats to hopefully draw a double team so the 4th LB can take advantage of open gaps in the line. I'm not sure if we have the three guys who can do that effectively.

You also need a speedy Strong Safety and a quick OLB-weak side that you can sneak up on passing downs to bring pressure on the QB, as you don't have traditional outside DE's to swing around the end of the O-line on pressure plays.

The advantage of a 3-4 is that you have the extra LB and a Strong Safety you can cheat up so can play all kinds of games as to who you bring on pressure, thereby confusing the Offense as to where pressure may come from. Hell...you could blitz a gap and both ends of the line on a third and long passing situation and still have 5 guys (2 LB's, two DB's and a Free Safety) back in coverage.

As I said in another post, I think the best bet for the Eagles is to run a 4-3 as it most closely resembles what they are familiar with in the 4-2. They just need to identify the Mike (if Kline goes Will and Sparacio goes Sam). Do they already have that guy, or do they need to bring him in as a transfer?

I believe CC first defensive coordinator ran a 3-4-4 and it was a bigger disaster than Ned's 4-2-5. I believe the 5 DBs were in zone coverage and playing off the ball early this year and switched to man to man with better success although I could be wrong

I didn't realize CC had someone before Neathery. I assumed Ned came with him, Interesting.

"Entering his second year at EMU is Brad McCaslin, who came to Ypsilanti after spending two years at Drake University. McCaslin will serve as the team’s defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach."

Per the 247 database, there are 70 uncommitted LBs in the portal. Surely there must be one or two in that group that is motivated and good enough to play at EMU.

(12-28-2022 04:36 PM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  Per the 247 database, there are 70 uncommitted LBs in the portal. Surely there must be one or two in that group that is motivated and good enough to play at EMU.

emu79 noted in the recruiting thread that Devin Nicholson (LB from Missouri) is a name in the portal to keep an eye on. He was a big recruit out of Cass Tech in Detroit, committed to us in high school, decommitted and signed with Missouri. He has had a nice career there, so that would be a great pickup.

The only downside with Nicholson (after doing some research on him) is that it looks like he would only have one year of eligibility left.

FWIW, I met Devin back in June of his rising senior year. Think he commityed a day or two later.

This was at an EMU.FB camp.

If we can....
-bring in plug and play guys on the O-line
-Bring in another Juco WR
-Bring in a portal LB
-Smith develops at QB

Then I think we could have another great year. Losing our starting left tackle (Marcellus), graduating Sow, Drummond and Hassan graduating are holes that we need to fill. Particularly on the O line.

What I am excited about....
-I think Lassiter at WR is a stud and will flourish as WR1
-Sparacio and Kline are back
-Swindle, Price and Carter Evans have another year of experience. This is their year to shine (3rd yr)
-I think Smith will get better at QB.
-Our secondary is loaded
-10th yr head coach coming off a bowl win which looks even better for recruits

"Offensive line
Should be back: Rewolinski, Howie, Douglas, Johnson, Dooley
Gone: Sow, Bates
Excitement level: 8 out of 10

Sow is obviously one of the greatest players we've had and will be a huge loss. Thankfully we have three guys (Howie, Johnson, Dooley) all back who have started for years and are good players. Rewolinski and Douglas both have started in spots and should be able to fill in and play well. I've also read or heard good things about some of the young guys (Jackson, Warnsman, Indestad, Anderson, Lee) so there should be a healthy competition for those spots. We may take a slight step back losing Sow, but overall this should be a good group."

I would have given a '7' before the loss of Johnson. I now give it a '5' and hope Douglass can step in at center.

If so, the right side of our OL will be our strength, the opposite of 2022.

**************

I think 2023 will be a reload/rebuild year. I see a lot more question marks that many posters:

1). 60% new OL,

2). New QB,

3). Replace all-American DE,

i read an article that in CFB now the difference between a decent/good team and a very good/great team is QUARTERBACKING. We are far now, January 2, from having very good quarterbacking. This makes 2023 a big, big question mark for us. Inexperienced line and new QB can be problematic.

Got to see what comes out of spring ball at QB and OL!!! A good OL and a good QB helped Evans look really good. Evans is really good BUT a RB needs a lot of help just like a QB needs a good OL and receivers.

I see a lot of parallels to the Lions. The Lions built a very sturdy OL (and w/out all of the 2021 injuries) and Goff and runners thrived behind it. Sounds parallel to what we had in 2022. As we know the left side of our OL ate up their side of the SJSU DL/LB. We have memories of Sow blocking his OL and then getting to the 2nd level and hitting the LB.

(01-01-2023 09:06 AM)emu steve Wrote:  "Offensive line
Should be back: Rewolinski, Howie, Douglas, Johnson, Dooley
Gone: Sow, Bates
Excitement level: 8 out of 10

Sow is obviously one of the greatest players we've had and will be a huge loss. Thankfully we have three guys (Howie, Johnson, Dooley) all back who have started for years and are good players. Rewolinski and Douglas both have started in spots and should be able to fill in and play well. I've also read or heard good things about some of the young guys (Jackson, Warnsman, Indestad, Anderson, Lee) so there should be a healthy competition for those spots. We may take a slight step back losing Sow, but overall this should be a good group."

I would have given a '7' before the loss of Johnson. I now give it a '5' and hope Douglass can step in at center.

If so, the right side of our OL will be our strength, the opposite of 2022.

**************

I think 2023 will be a reload/rebuild year. I see a lot more question marks that many posters:

1). 60% new OL,

2). New QB,

3). Replace all-American DE,

i read an article that in CFB now the difference between a decent/good team and a very good/great team is QUARTERBACKING. We are far now, January 2, from having very good quarterbacking. This makes 2023 a big, big question mark for us. Inexperienced line and new QB can be problematic.

Got to see what comes out of spring ball at QB and OL!!! A good OL and a good QB helped Evans look really good. Evans is really good BUT a RB needs a lot of help just like a QB needs a good OL and receivers.

I see a lot of parallels to the Lions. The Lions built a very sturdy OL (and w/out all of the 2021 injuries) and Goff and runners thrived behind it. Sounds parallel to what we had in 2022. As we know the left side of our OL ate up their side of the SJSU DL/LB. We have memories of Sow blocking his OL and then getting to the 2nd level and hitting the LB.

Good post Steve. I think we need the portal this year now more than ever. We were spoiled this year with a very good O-line. Losing Sow, Johnson and Bates hurts. At QB, I like Austin Smith but he needs to improve a lot.

I love our secondary, parts of our O-line , our RB's and our young Dline

If we can get a couple pick ups in the portal, then we have a chance to be very good next year.

we need 2 portal O-linemen, QB, a LB and a WR

(01-03-2023 09:02 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  

(01-01-2023 09:06 AM)emu steve Wrote:  "Offensive line
Should be back: Rewolinski, Howie, Douglas, Johnson, Dooley
Gone: Sow, Bates
Excitement level: 8 out of 10

Sow is obviously one of the greatest players we've had and will be a huge loss. Thankfully we have three guys (Howie, Johnson, Dooley) all back who have started for years and are good players. Rewolinski and Douglas both have started in spots and should be able to fill in and play well. I've also read or heard good things about some of the young guys (Jackson, Warnsman, Indestad, Anderson, Lee) so there should be a healthy competition for those spots. We may take a slight step back losing Sow, but overall this should be a good group."

I would have given a '7' before the loss of Johnson. I now give it a '5' and hope Douglass can step in at center.

If so, the right side of our OL will be our strength, the opposite of 2022.

**************

I think 2023 will be a reload/rebuild year. I see a lot more question marks that many posters:

1). 60% new OL,

2). New QB,

3). Replace all-American DE,

i read an article that in CFB now the difference between a decent/good team and a very good/great team is QUARTERBACKING. We are far now, January 2, from having very good quarterbacking. This makes 2023 a big, big question mark for us. Inexperienced line and new QB can be problematic.

Got to see what comes out of spring ball at QB and OL!!! A good OL and a good QB helped Evans look really good. Evans is really good BUT a RB needs a lot of help just like a QB needs a good OL and receivers.

I see a lot of parallels to the Lions. The Lions built a very sturdy OL (and w/out all of the 2021 injuries) and Goff and runners thrived behind it. Sounds parallel to what we had in 2022. As we know the left side of our OL ate up their side of the SJSU DL/LB. We have memories of Sow blocking his OL and then getting to the 2nd level and hitting the LB.

Good post Steve. I think we need the portal this year now more than ever. We were spoiled this year with a very good O-line. Losing Sow, Johnson and Bates hurts. At QB, I like Austin Smith but he needs to improve a lot.

I love our secondary, parts of our O-line , our RB's and our young Dline

If we can get a couple pick ups in the portal, then we have a chance to be very good next year.

we need 2 portal O-linemen, QB, a LB and a WR

And a dominant DE.

(01-04-2023 07:41 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(01-03-2023 09:02 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  

(01-01-2023 09:06 AM)emu steve Wrote:  "Offensive line
Should be back: Rewolinski, Howie, Douglas, Johnson, Dooley
Gone: Sow, Bates
Excitement level: 8 out of 10

Sow is obviously one of the greatest players we've had and will be a huge loss. Thankfully we have three guys (Howie, Johnson, Dooley) all back who have started for years and are good players. Rewolinski and Douglas both have started in spots and should be able to fill in and play well. I've also read or heard good things about some of the young guys (Jackson, Warnsman, Indestad, Anderson, Lee) so there should be a healthy competition for those spots. We may take a slight step back losing Sow, but overall this should be a good group."

I would have given a '7' before the loss of Johnson. I now give it a '5' and hope Douglass can step in at center.

If so, the right side of our OL will be our strength, the opposite of 2022.

**************

I think 2023 will be a reload/rebuild year. I see a lot more question marks that many posters:

1). 60% new OL,

2). New QB,

3). Replace all-American DE,

i read an article that in CFB now the difference between a decent/good team and a very good/great team is QUARTERBACKING. We are far now, January 2, from having very good quarterbacking. This makes 2023 a big, big question mark for us. Inexperienced line and new QB can be problematic.

Got to see what comes out of spring ball at QB and OL!!! A good OL and a good QB helped Evans look really good. Evans is really good BUT a RB needs a lot of help just like a QB needs a good OL and receivers.

I see a lot of parallels to the Lions. The Lions built a very sturdy OL (and w/out all of the 2021 injuries) and Goff and runners thrived behind it. Sounds parallel to what we had in 2022. As we know the left side of our OL ate up their side of the SJSU DL/LB. We have memories of Sow blocking his OL and then getting to the 2nd level and hitting the LB.

Good post Steve. I think we need the portal this year now more than ever. We were spoiled this year with a very good O-line. Losing Sow, Johnson and Bates hurts. At QB, I like Austin Smith but he needs to improve a lot.

I love our secondary, parts of our O-line , our RB's and our young Dline

If we can get a couple pick ups in the portal, then we have a chance to be very good next year.

we need 2 portal O-linemen, QB, a LB and a WR

And a dominant DE.

I agree with you guys on all of this. As I have said, I think there is enough talent throughout the roster (at least as it looks now) that we should be able to at least get to 6-6 and get back to bowl. However, as pointed out the two big question marks are QB and D-line. Losing Johnson is a blow to the O-line for sure, so I don't feel as confident as I first did about that group but I still think they can be pretty darn good.

(01-04-2023 07:41 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(01-03-2023 09:02 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  

(01-01-2023 09:06 AM)emu steve Wrote:  "Offensive line
Should be back: Rewolinski, Howie, Douglas, Johnson, Dooley
Gone: Sow, Bates
Excitement level: 8 out of 10

Sow is obviously one of the greatest players we've had and will be a huge loss. Thankfully we have three guys (Howie, Johnson, Dooley) all back who have started for years and are good players. Rewolinski and Douglas both have started in spots and should be able to fill in and play well. I've also read or heard good things about some of the young guys (Jackson, Warnsman, Indestad, Anderson, Lee) so there should be a healthy competition for those spots. We may take a slight step back losing Sow, but overall this should be a good group."

I would have given a '7' before the loss of Johnson. I now give it a '5' and hope Douglass can step in at center.

If so, the right side of our OL will be our strength, the opposite of 2022.

**************

I think 2023 will be a reload/rebuild year. I see a lot more question marks that many posters:

1). 60% new OL,

2). New QB,

3). Replace all-American DE,

i read an article that in CFB now the difference between a decent/good team and a very good/great team is QUARTERBACKING. We are far now, January 2, from having very good quarterbacking. This makes 2023 a big, big question mark for us. Inexperienced line and new QB can be problematic.

Got to see what comes out of spring ball at QB and OL!!! A good OL and a good QB helped Evans look really good. Evans is really good BUT a RB needs a lot of help just like a QB needs a good OL and receivers.

I see a lot of parallels to the Lions. The Lions built a very sturdy OL (and w/out all of the 2021 injuries) and Goff and runners thrived behind it. Sounds parallel to what we had in 2022. As we know the left side of our OL ate up their side of the SJSU DL/LB. We have memories of Sow blocking his OL and then getting to the 2nd level and hitting the LB.

Good post Steve. I think we need the portal this year now more than ever. We were spoiled this year with a very good O-line. Losing Sow, Johnson and Bates hurts. At QB, I like Austin Smith but he needs to improve a lot.

I love our secondary, parts of our O-line , our RB's and our young Dline

If we can get a couple pick ups in the portal, then we have a chance to be very good next year.

we need 2 portal O-linemen, QB, a LB and a WR

And a dominant DE.

We will be getting Jeff so that is solved

On the O-Line I am not positive but we will probably be getting Owen and Dan

I know we are trying to bring in a WR but we really don't need it
We have all the receivers we need

LB is the biggest mystery to me since I have heard NOTHING about it from anyone on the staff but that is definitely a position we need
I have no idea what is going on there
I presume it is because the staff isn't positive or because we don't have a LB coach yet
That's just my guess
I could be wrong since I am admitting that I have no inclination about what we are doing at LB

(01-04-2023 07:31 PM)EdifiedVoyage6 Wrote:  

(01-04-2023 07:41 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(01-03-2023 09:02 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  

(01-01-2023 09:06 AM)emu steve Wrote:  "Offensive line
Should be back: Rewolinski, Howie, Douglas, Johnson, Dooley
Gone: Sow, Bates
Excitement level: 8 out of 10

Sow is obviously one of the greatest players we've had and will be a huge loss. Thankfully we have three guys (Howie, Johnson, Dooley) all back who have started for years and are good players. Rewolinski and Douglas both have started in spots and should be able to fill in and play well. I've also read or heard good things about some of the young guys (Jackson, Warnsman, Indestad, Anderson, Lee) so there should be a healthy competition for those spots. We may take a slight step back losing Sow, but overall this should be a good group."

I would have given a '7' before the loss of Johnson. I now give it a '5' and hope Douglass can step in at center.

If so, the right side of our OL will be our strength, the opposite of 2022.

**************

I think 2023 will be a reload/rebuild year. I see a lot more question marks that many posters:

1). 60% new OL,

2). New QB,

3). Replace all-American DE,

i read an article that in CFB now the difference between a decent/good team and a very good/great team is QUARTERBACKING. We are far now, January 2, from having very good quarterbacking. This makes 2023 a big, big question mark for us. Inexperienced line and new QB can be problematic.

Got to see what comes out of spring ball at QB and OL!!! A good OL and a good QB helped Evans look really good. Evans is really good BUT a RB needs a lot of help just like a QB needs a good OL and receivers.

I see a lot of parallels to the Lions. The Lions built a very sturdy OL (and w/out all of the 2021 injuries) and Goff and runners thrived behind it. Sounds parallel to what we had in 2022. As we know the left side of our OL ate up their side of the SJSU DL/LB. We have memories of Sow blocking his OL and then getting to the 2nd level and hitting the LB.

Good post Steve. I think we need the portal this year now more than ever. We were spoiled this year with a very good O-line. Losing Sow, Johnson and Bates hurts. At QB, I like Austin Smith but he needs to improve a lot.

I love our secondary, parts of our O-line , our RB's and our young Dline

If we can get a couple pick ups in the portal, then we have a chance to be very good next year.

we need 2 portal O-linemen, QB, a LB and a WR

And a dominant DE.

We will be getting Jeff so that is solved

On the O-Line I am not positive but we will probably be getting Owen and Dan

I know we are trying to bring in a WR but we really don't need it
We have all the receivers we need

LB is the biggest mystery to me since I have heard NOTHING about it from anyone on the staff but that is definitely a position we need
I have no idea what is going on there
I presume it is because the staff isn't positive or because we don't have a LB coach yet
That's just my guess
I could be wrong since I am admitting that I have no inclination about what we are doing at LB

I think by Jeff you mean JUCO Jefferson?

Big Time Boomer rated EMU number 1 in the MAC for best overall culture.

(01-05-2023 04:31 AM)emu79 Wrote:  Big Time Boomer rated EMU number 1 in the MAC for best overall culture.

I see these things on Twitter, and do NOT know how reliable they are (how does one measure a lot of these things?*).

That said, EMU FB is developing a well earned reputation for having a good culture, good HC, etc.

* Think I saw one for long snappers. Isn't long snapping kind of a pass/fail type thing? The ball gets back to the holder or punter or it doesn't. I can't remember seeing the last bad snap to the holder.

Amazing the most bad snaps come from the center to the QB who is not under center.

(01-05-2023 04:22 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(01-04-2023 07:31 PM)EdifiedVoyage6 Wrote:  

(01-04-2023 07:41 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(01-03-2023 09:02 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  

(01-01-2023 09:06 AM)emu steve Wrote:  "Offensive line
Should be back: Rewolinski, Howie, Douglas, Johnson, Dooley
Gone: Sow, Bates
Excitement level: 8 out of 10

Sow is obviously one of the greatest players we've had and will be a huge loss. Thankfully we have three guys (Howie, Johnson, Dooley) all back who have started for years and are good players. Rewolinski and Douglas both have started in spots and should be able to fill in and play well. I've also read or heard good things about some of the young guys (Jackson, Warnsman, Indestad, Anderson, Lee) so there should be a healthy competition for those spots. We may take a slight step back losing Sow, but overall this should be a good group."

I would have given a '7' before the loss of Johnson. I now give it a '5' and hope Douglass can step in at center.

If so, the right side of our OL will be our strength, the opposite of 2022.

**************

I think 2023 will be a reload/rebuild year. I see a lot more question marks that many posters:

1). 60% new OL,

2). New QB,

3). Replace all-American DE,

i read an article that in CFB now the difference between a decent/good team and a very good/great team is QUARTERBACKING. We are far now, January 2, from having very good quarterbacking. This makes 2023 a big, big question mark for us. Inexperienced line and new QB can be problematic.

Got to see what comes out of spring ball at QB and OL!!! A good OL and a good QB helped Evans look really good. Evans is really good BUT a RB needs a lot of help just like a QB needs a good OL and receivers.

I see a lot of parallels to the Lions. The Lions built a very sturdy OL (and w/out all of the 2021 injuries) and Goff and runners thrived behind it. Sounds parallel to what we had in 2022. As we know the left side of our OL ate up their side of the SJSU DL/LB. We have memories of Sow blocking his OL and then getting to the 2nd level and hitting the LB.

Good post Steve. I think we need the portal this year now more than ever. We were spoiled this year with a very good O-line. Losing Sow, Johnson and Bates hurts. At QB, I like Austin Smith but he needs to improve a lot.

I love our secondary, parts of our O-line , our RB's and our young Dline

If we can get a couple pick ups in the portal, then we have a chance to be very good next year.

we need 2 portal O-linemen, QB, a LB and a WR

And a dominant DE.

We will be getting Jeff so that is solved

On the O-Line I am not positive but we will probably be getting Owen and Dan

I know we are trying to bring in a WR but we really don't need it
We have all the receivers we need

LB is the biggest mystery to me since I have heard NOTHING about it from anyone on the staff but that is definitely a position we need
I have no idea what is going on there
I presume it is because the staff isn't positive or because we don't have a LB coach yet
That's just my guess
I could be wrong since I am admitting that I have no inclination about what we are doing at LB

I think by Jeff you mean JUCO Jefferson?

Yeah sorry, when I talk to him I call him Jeff. That's my bad

(01-05-2023 07:05 AM)EdifiedVoyage6 Wrote:  

(01-05-2023 04:22 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(01-04-2023 07:31 PM)EdifiedVoyage6 Wrote:  

(01-04-2023 07:41 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(01-03-2023 09:02 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  Good post Steve. I think we need the portal this year now more than ever. We were spoiled this year with a very good O-line. Losing Sow, Johnson and Bates hurts. At QB, I like Austin Smith but he needs to improve a lot.

I love our secondary, parts of our O-line , our RB's and our young Dline

If we can get a couple pick ups in the portal, then we have a chance to be very good next year.

we need 2 portal O-linemen, QB, a LB and a WR

And a dominant DE.

We will be getting Jeff so that is solved

On the O-Line I am not positive but we will probably be getting Owen and Dan

I know we are trying to bring in a WR but we really don't need it
We have all the receivers we need

LB is the biggest mystery to me since I have heard NOTHING about it from anyone on the staff but that is definitely a position we need
I have no idea what is going on there
I presume it is because the staff isn't positive or because we don't have a LB coach yet
That's just my guess
I could be wrong since I am admitting that I have no inclination about what we are doing at LB

I think by Jeff you mean JUCO Jefferson?

Yeah sorry, when I talk to him I call him Jeff. That's my bad

I think I know who Dan is but who is Owen?

(01-05-2023 07:07 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(01-05-2023 07:05 AM)EdifiedVoyage6 Wrote:  

(01-05-2023 04:22 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(01-04-2023 07:31 PM)EdifiedVoyage6 Wrote:  

(01-04-2023 07:41 AM)emu79 Wrote:  And a dominant DE.

We will be getting Jeff so that is solved

On the O-Line I am not positive but we will probably be getting Owen and Dan

I know we are trying to bring in a WR but we really don't need it
We have all the receivers we need

LB is the biggest mystery to me since I have heard NOTHING about it from anyone on the staff but that is definitely a position we need
I have no idea what is going on there
I presume it is because the staff isn't positive or because we don't have a LB coach yet
That's just my guess
I could be wrong since I am admitting that I have no inclination about what we are doing at LB

I think by Jeff you mean JUCO Jefferson?

Yeah sorry, when I talk to him I call him Jeff. That's my bad

I think I know who Dan is but who is Owen?

Again sorry
I will just say who everyone is

Jeff was Jefferson Adam (JUCO)
Dan was Dan Sunderman (Central Missouri)
Owen was Owen Svinely (Colorado State)

I am sorry about the confusion